How To Establish Religious Authority #1

A. Begin a new series on the authority of the Bible and how we determine what is authoritative in terms of what we teach and practice religiously. Religious authority is a subject that is misunderstood in the denominational world. And is terribly misunderstood by some who profess to be members of the Lord’s Church. Therefore, it is an important issue that we need to explore.
Begin with this general observation. It has been observed by anthropologist that people in every culture have an interest in, and an inclination to be religious. There has never been discovered a civilization or a tribe of people who have been totally bereft of a religious impulse.
a. They may not know the true God. Yet, they believe in some Force, Creator outside of humanity to
whom they ought to render some kind of allegiance. When they worship the sun, moon, a tree or a
cow they are expressing an inborn religious urge. Eccl. 3:11?12, explains this phenomena.
(A) The Greek word for man is “anthropos.” Plato defined that word as, “The upward looking
one.” Defining man as the one who looks upward to some greater power. Man has a
desire to honor the one he believes is responsible for creating him. In Acts 17:22?23, Paul
speaks to the people and complements them for seeking God.
It is commendable to express the religious side of your nature. But, in far to many instances people, who want to be religious and honor God, either don’t know how to worship God acceptably (The way God wants to be worshiped) or they want to do it their own way. Man’s greatest problem in religion is refusing to worship God the way God says He wants to be worshiped. Jno. 4:23-24. Refusing to do that insults God.
That is an attitude of arrogance and independence from God that says, “I will worship God my way and I refuse to be told how to do it.” Isn’t it strange that man would seek the fellowship and guidance of God and then reject and refuse the very thing he is seeking?
In this series of lessons we will explore together some popular philosophies about how men can serve God. Help us discover what is the right and wrong way to be religious and serve God acceptably.
(2) #1, is the democratic philosophy. Familiar with that term. Democracy is a system by which the voice of the people is expressed. It is a majority rule by which we decide our needs and how they will be met. This is the best and fairest way for a people to live together in peace and harmony.
(1) Most people want to carry this concept over into the religious world and say, “In religious matters, we ought to have the right to take a vote to decide what we will do and what we will practice, and God will put His stamp of approval on whatever we elect to do.” Great idea, but it will not work. Why? The church is not a democracy. It is a Theocratic Kingdom. It has over it, a sovereign ruler named Jesus Christ who is it’s King, it’s only King, and He is God.
(2) Col. 1:15-20. He stated the laws of immigration and the laws of participation in this kingdom. Col. 1:13. If you want to be a citizen in the Kingdom established by Jesus you must do so according to His stated rule. That kingdom is made up of those who have become members of the body of Christ. That body is called the Church of Christ. Eph. 1:22?23.
(2) He proclaimed His Kingship, Rulership in Matt. 28:18?20. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, (How?) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

(1) Gal. 3:26-29. That’s how you immigrate into and become a citizen of Christ’s New Testament Kingdom, which is the Church. You become a citizen by being “baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” You get into the kingdom by being baptized into Christ and you retain your citizenship by living, obeying the commandments of Jesus in you everyday life.
(1) Jno. 14:15. Vs. 23-24.
(2) Jno. 3:3, 5?6. “Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again.....I tell you this truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” Tit. 3:5?7. “God saved us through the washing of regeneration (NIV says, “the washing of rebirth”) and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
(2) Rom. 6:3?5. “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death (Why?) So that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (What is new life? It is salvation in the new Kingdom) If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” Baptism is where you get into Christ. Baptism is where you touch the blood of Jesus that takes away your sin. Baptism is where your are born again. Baptism is where you are born of the water and the Spirit. Baptism is where you and God are reunited by the removal of your sin so you can receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
(1) Acts 2:37. The Jews suddenly believed that Jesus was the Messiah and asked how they could enter the kingdom and be saved. The apostle Peter gave them the answer to that question in Vs. 38. "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Vs. 41, says, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
(2) Three thousand new souls were added to the church of Christ, the kingdom of Christ . It didn’t stop there, Vs. 47, says, “....and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
(3) Question? Have you been baptized into Christ scripturally? The way the Bible teaches? The way Christ commanded? If not you’re in the right place. We will help you do that. You can be “...born again, born of the water and the spirit” to have your sins forgiven and be reunited to God through the blood of His Son Jesus.
(4) Acts 20:32.

Spur - 02/12/03 am